NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
13 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 5, 2024
Air BagsInjury
All four side curtain airbags deployed while I was driving my car in a parking lot. There was no collision and no reason whatsoever for the airbags to deploy. The airbags in the dash did not deploy. The airbag hit me in the side of the head and shrapnel from the airbag, hit me in the face and eyes and knocked me sideways toward …
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All four side curtain airbags deployed while I was driving my car in a parking lot. There was no collision and no reason whatsoever for the airbags to deploy. The airbags in the dash did not deploy. The airbag hit me in the side of the head and shrapnel from the airbag, hit me in the face and eyes and knocked me sideways toward the passenger seat. I was completely stunned and had piercing pain throughout my head and neck. I was able to pull into a parking spot and call police dispatch, and get the car towed. The car will be inspected tomorrow by the insurance company, but because there was no reason for the airbags to deploy, this could be a major problem! Imagine if I was driving on the freeway or in another situation and the airbags just deployed for no reason with no warning. Please take immediate action to get these unsafe airbags off the road. The car will be inspected by the insurance company in the morning and the service provider in the following days. If you would like those reports, I will be happy to send them to you.
NHTSA ODI #11592762
204,000 miles · Mar 15, 2019
Air BagsSteeringTraction Control SystemCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS, THERE WAS A LOSS OF TRACTION AND STEERING ABILITY. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, ROLLED OVER AT LEAST FIVE TIMES, AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINED THE DRIVER; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS, THERE WAS A LOSS OF TRACTION AND STEERING ABILITY. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, ROLLED OVER AT LEAST FIVE TIMES, AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINED THE DRIVER; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE BRUISING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BODY, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. MILLER MOTOR SALES INC (1196 MILWAUKEE AVE, BURLINGTON, WI 53105, (888) 449-0974) WAS NOTIFIED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A YARD BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,000.
NHTSA ODI #11187003
87,000 miles · Sep 14, 2010
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE UNEXPECTANTLY PULLED IN FRONT OF HIM. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE UNEXPECTANTLY PULLED IN FRONT OF HIM. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE CONTACTS INSURANCE COMPANY WHO DEEMED THE VEHICLE AS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. UPDATED 01/31/11 *BF UPDATED 04/21/11
NHTSA ODI #10355582
80,000 miles · Jul 10, 2009
Air BagsCrash
ON VACATION WE HAD A TIRE EXPLODE ON THE WAY HOME FROM VACATION TWO EXPLODED ON THE SAME SIDE WITHOUT WARNING WE ROLLED OUR FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC FOUR TIMES BEFORE STOPPING A DAY AFTER THE ACCIDENT WE INVESTIGATED THE TIRE AND FOUND THEY ALL WE BOUGHT NEW HAD 65,000 MILE WARRANTY WE ONLY USED HALF THAT AND FOUND THAT THEY WE …
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ON VACATION WE HAD A TIRE EXPLODE ON THE WAY HOME FROM VACATION TWO EXPLODED ON THE SAME SIDE WITHOUT WARNING WE ROLLED OUR FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC FOUR TIMES BEFORE STOPPING A DAY AFTER THE ACCIDENT WE INVESTIGATED THE TIRE AND FOUND THEY ALL WE BOUGHT NEW HAD 65,000 MILE WARRANTY WE ONLY USED HALF THAT AND FOUND THAT THEY WE ON RECALL FOR A YEAR PRIOR TO FIRESTONE SELLING THEM TO US. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10276316
65,000 miles · Apr 13, 2009
Air BagsEquipmentInjury
ON APRIL 12, 2008 MY BOYFRIEND AND I SPENT THE MORNING AT HIS SISTERS HOUSE FOR EASTER. WE DROVE THE TRUCK TO HER HOUSE THAT MORNING AND EVEN MADE A STOP AT THE GROCERY STORE ON THE WAY WITH NO ISSUES. THAT EVENING AROUND 6 WE HAD RETURNED HOME FOR A WHILE AND DECIDED TO GO OUT AGAIN. THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH…
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ON APRIL 12, 2008 MY BOYFRIEND AND I SPENT THE MORNING AT HIS SISTERS HOUSE FOR EASTER. WE DROVE THE TRUCK TO HER HOUSE THAT MORNING AND EVEN MADE A STOP AT THE GROCERY STORE ON THE WAY WITH NO ISSUES. THAT EVENING AROUND 6 WE HAD RETURNED HOME FOR A WHILE AND DECIDED TO GO OUT AGAIN. THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING. MY BOYFRIEND WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVERS SEAT AND I WAS STANDING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORWAY ABOUT TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE. WE WERE TALKING AND HE SHUT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, NORMALLY. WHEN HE DID SO THE SIDE AIRBAGS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TRUCK DEPLOYED. HE WAS HIT IN THE FACE AND HAS SINCE HAD A BAD EARACHE AND HEADACHE. I WAS HIT IN MY LEFT ARM CAUSING BRUSH BURNS, SWOLLEN AND TENDERNESS AND BRUISING. WE WERE UNSURE OF HOW TO GET THE AIRBAGS TO SHRINK BACK SO IN AN ANGRY MOVE MY BOYFRIEND SIMPLY CUT THEM DOWN SO WE COULD STILL USE THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED A FORD DEALERSHIP NEAR MY HOUSE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD LOOK AT THE VEHICLE BUT I HAD NO MORE WARRANTY AVAILABLE. I THEN CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THAT MY COMPLAINT WAS BEING SENT TO A REVIEW BOARD AND I WOULD HEAR FROM THEM IN WRITING IN 14 BUSINESS DAYS! AT THIS POINT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AND I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THE LACK OF HELP I AM GETTING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265168
52,000 miles · Mar 10, 2009
Air BagsCrashInjury
ON AUGUST 8TH 2008 I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR WRECK WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHEN THE VEHICLE WRECKED IT FLIPPED OVER ONTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND SLID DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON ITS SIDE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE POINT OF CONTACT WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CORNER P…
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ON AUGUST 8TH 2008 I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR WRECK WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHEN THE VEHICLE WRECKED IT FLIPPED OVER ONTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND SLID DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON ITS SIDE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE POINT OF CONTACT WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CORNER PANEL OF THE TRUCK. I FEEL THAT THE IMPACT OF THE WRECK SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE AIRBAGS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10261466
60,000 miles · Jan 9, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND STRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WERE DAMAGED AND THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT MAY BE DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND STRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WERE DAMAGED AND THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT MAY BE DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BRUISED CHEST AND STRUCK HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 02-14-08 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10214324
42,535 miles · Apr 12, 2007
Air BagsSeat Belts
APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO, WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND RUNNING OUTSIDE OF MY HOME, I SHUT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, AND THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS SHUT WITH NO MORE FORCE THAN NORMAL, HOWEVER I WAS LATER TOLD BY THE FORD SERVICE DEPT. THAT EVEN A SLAM SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THIS DEPLOYMENT. I…
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APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO, WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND RUNNING OUTSIDE OF MY HOME, I SHUT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, AND THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS SHUT WITH NO MORE FORCE THAN NORMAL, HOWEVER I WAS LATER TOLD BY THE FORD SERVICE DEPT. THAT EVEN A SLAM SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THIS DEPLOYMENT. I OPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, AND DID NOT GO TO FORD, HOWEVER NOW REALIZED I SHOULD HAVE, AS THE VEHICLE WAS THEN IN IT'S LAST MILES OF MY WARRANTY. I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT THE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELTS MAY BE ASSOCIATED OR HAVE CAUSED THE DEFAULT OF MY SIDE AIRBAGS, AS THE DRIVER SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 3 TIMES JUST PRIOR TO THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED BY THE RESPONSE FORD PROVIDED, HOWEVER EVEN IF I HAD PLACED A COMPLAINT DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD, ACCORDING TO OTHER FILED COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE WHICH I READ, IT MAY STILL HAVE NOT BEEN COVERED BY FORD. I AM JUST NOW CONTEMPLATING EITHER TRADING THE VEHICLE IN, OR REPLACING THE AIRBAG EQUIPMENT REQUIRED TO MEET SAFETY REGULATIONS, AS UP TO THIS POINT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OPERATIONAL WITHOUT REPLACEMENT, AFTER ALL, WITH MY MALFUNCTION AND OTHERS NOTED ON THE SITE, AND BY THE FORD SERVICE DEPT, I FEEL THEY ARE MORE A LIABILITY THAN A PROTECTIVE ELEMENT. IT IS A DISTURBING DAY, WHEN FORD DOES NOT STAND BEHIND IT'S SAFETY COMMITMENT, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE WAS NO CAUSE , PRIOR ACCIDENT, OR IMPACT TO HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR THIS SUDDEN DEPLOYMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10187731
34,000 miles · Sep 8, 2006
Air BagsEquipmentExterior LightingCrashInjury
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT AND INJURIES. THE RECIRCULATION BALL AND THE RACK AND PINION FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK UP. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER CAME AROUND A…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT AND INJURIES. THE RECIRCULATION BALL AND THE RACK AND PINION FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK UP. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER CAME AROUND A CORNER AND SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT 5 MONTHS PRIOR, AND HE BELIEVED THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE NOT BEEN PROPERLY FIXED WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE AIR DID NOT DEPLOY IN THIS ACCIDENT. THE POLICE CONCLUDED THAT THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS AND UPON ROUNDING THE CORNER, HE LOST CONTROL AND STRUCK THE BANK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERTURN. THE CONSUMER HAD PREVIOUS REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE SUCH AS AN INOPERABLE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT AND THE REAR VENTS DID NOT BLOW OUT AIR. UPDATED 10/3/06 *JB UPDATED 10/25/2006 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10167719
32,000 miles · Jun 15, 2006
Air Bags
THE SIDE AIR BAGS (BOTH) DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. MY VEHICLE IS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. (4 DOOR PICKUP). THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO A FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR AND INITIALLY THEY SAID IT WOULD BE A WARRANTY REPAIR BUT CALLED BACK A WEEK LATER INDICATING TH…
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THE SIDE AIR BAGS (BOTH) DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. MY VEHICLE IS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. (4 DOOR PICKUP). THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO A FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR AND INITIALLY THEY SAID IT WOULD BE A WARRANTY REPAIR BUT CALLED BACK A WEEK LATER INDICATING THAT FORD WOULD NOT WARRANT THE REPAIRS AND THE COST TO ME WOULD BE $2300 TO $2500. I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD REOCCUR IN THE FUTURE AND PERHAPS WITH MY GRAND CHILDREN OR DOG IN THE VEHICLE WITH A HAND OR HEAD OUT OF THE WINDOW. THE EXPLOSIVE FORCE OF THE DEPLOYMENT HAS ME CONCERNED ABOUT EVER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AGAIN NOT TO MENTION THE UNWARRANTED EXPENSE AND THE DESTRUCTIVE NATURE OF THE DEPLOYMENT. IT DESTROYED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE INCLUDING MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT (NOW NON OP AND BEING REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE) HEADLINER, A PILLAR MOLDINGS, C PILLAR MOLDING ETC. I HAVE TO WONDER IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE OR UNIQUE TO MINE. I'M CONTEMPLATING A TRADE IN FOR A TOYOTA. ANY INSIGHT YOU CAN OFFER WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10159911
NHTSA investigations
2PE09020 · Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
Opened Apr 21, 2009 · Closed Aug 19, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), FORD STATED CONSUMER REPORTS OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED EFFORTS WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF PARK COULD BE A RESULT OF A GROOVE BEING WORN INTO THE SWING ARM RAMP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SWING ARM IS A COMPONENT BOLTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ASSISTS IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS.AN ENGINEERING EVALUATION CONDUCTED BY FORD OF RETURNED STEERING COLUMNS FOUND THE GROOVE COULD BE CREATED OVER TIME IF CONSUMER SHIFT MORE QUICKLY FROM THE DRIVE OR REVERSE TO PARK THAN THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK (BSI) SOLENOID PIN RETRACTS AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2004, FORD RELEASED A REDESIGNED BSI SOLENOID WITH A SHORTER PIN RETRACTING TIME AS A SERVICEABLE COMPONENT. FORD HAS NOTED THE SHORTER RETRACTION TIME SIGNIFICANTLY LESSENS THE LIKELIHOOD OF BSI SOLENOID PIN TO SWING ARM CONTACT EVEN WITH RAPID CONSUMER SHIFTS.FORD ALSO ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 04-22-12, TO INSTRUCT SERVICE TECHNICIANS ON THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND VEHICLE REPAIR. REVIEWING COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND DATA SUBMITTED BY FORD, ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 200 ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AFTER CONSUMERS BELIEVE THEY HAVE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, RESULTING IN 85 ALLEGED CRASHES AND 32 ALLEGED INJURIES.IN ADDITION TO THE REPORTS OF ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT, ODI HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED 883 REPORTS OF CONSUMERS ALLEGING DIFFICULTY OR THE INABILITY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-013) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Steering:column
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), FORD STATED CONSUMER REPORTS OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED EFFORTS WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF PARK COULD BE A RESULT OF A GROOVE BEING WORN INTO THE SWING ARM RAMP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SWING ARM IS A COMPONENT BOLTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ASSISTS IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS.AN ENGINEERING EVALUATION CONDUCTED BY FORD OF RETURNED STEERING COLUMNS FOUND THE GROOVE COULD BE CREATED OVER TIME IF CONSUMER SHIFT MORE QUICKLY FROM THE DRIVE OR REVERSE TO PARK THAN THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK (BSI) SOLENOID PIN RETRACTS AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2004, FORD RELEASED A REDESIGNED BSI SOLENOID WITH A SHORTER PIN RETRACTING TIME AS A SERVICEABLE COMPONENT. FORD HAS NOTED THE SHORTER RETRACTION TIME SIGNIFICANTLY LESSENS THE LIKELIHOOD OF BSI SOLENOID PIN TO SWING ARM CONTACT EVEN WITH RAPID CONSUMER SHIFTS.FORD ALSO ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 04-22-12, TO INSTRUCT SERVICE TECHNICIANS ON THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND VEHICLE REPAIR. REVIEWING COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND DATA SUBMITTED BY FORD, ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 200 ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AFTER CONSUMERS BELIEVE THEY HAVE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, RESULTING IN 85 ALLEGED CRASHES AND 32 ALLEGED INJURIES.IN ADDITION TO THE REPORTS OF ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT, ODI HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED 883 REPORTS OF CONSUMERS ALLEGING DIFFICULTY OR THE INABILITY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-013) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), FORD STATED CONSUMER REPORTS OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED EFFORTS WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF PARK COULD BE A RESULT OF A GROOVE BEING WORN INTO THE SWING ARM RAMP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SWING ARM IS A COMPONENT BOLTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ASSISTS IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS.AN ENGINEERING EVALUATION CONDUCTED BY FORD OF RETURNED STEERING COLUMNS FOUND THE GROOVE COULD BE CREATED OVER TIME IF CONSUMER SHIFT MORE QUICKLY FROM THE DRIVE OR REVERSE TO PARK THAN THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK (BSI) SOLENOID PIN RETRACTS AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2004, FORD RELEASED A REDESIGNED BSI SOLENOID WITH A SHORTER PIN RETRACTING TIME AS A SERVICEABLE COMPONENT. FORD HAS NOTED THE SHORTER RETRACTION TIME SIGNIFICANTLY LESSENS THE LIKELIHOOD OF BSI SOLENOID PIN TO SWING ARM CONTACT EVEN WITH RAPID CONSUMER SHIFTS.FORD ALSO ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 04-22-12, TO INSTRUCT SERVICE TECHNICIANS ON THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND VEHICLE REPAIR. REVIEWING COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND DATA SUBMITTED BY FORD, ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 200 ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AFTER CONSUMERS BELIEVE THEY HAVE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, RESULTING IN 85 ALLEGED CRASHES AND 32 ALLEGED INJURIES.IN ADDITION TO THE REPORTS OF ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT, ODI HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED 883 REPORTS OF CONSUMERS ALLEGING DIFFICULTY OR THE INABILITY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-013) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Steering
IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER SENT BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), FORD STATED CONSUMER REPORTS OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED EFFORTS WHEN SHIFTING INTO AND OUT OF PARK COULD BE A RESULT OF A GROOVE BEING WORN INTO THE SWING ARM RAMP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SWING ARM IS A COMPONENT BOLTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN THAT ASSISTS IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION GEARS.AN ENGINEERING EVALUATION CONDUCTED BY FORD OF RETURNED STEERING COLUMNS FOUND THE GROOVE COULD BE CREATED OVER TIME IF CONSUMER SHIFT MORE QUICKLY FROM THE DRIVE OR REVERSE TO PARK THAN THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK (BSI) SOLENOID PIN RETRACTS AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2004, FORD RELEASED A REDESIGNED BSI SOLENOID WITH A SHORTER PIN RETRACTING TIME AS A SERVICEABLE COMPONENT. FORD HAS NOTED THE SHORTER RETRACTION TIME SIGNIFICANTLY LESSENS THE LIKELIHOOD OF BSI SOLENOID PIN TO SWING ARM CONTACT EVEN WITH RAPID CONSUMER SHIFTS.FORD ALSO ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, TSB 04-22-12, TO INSTRUCT SERVICE TECHNICIANS ON THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND VEHICLE REPAIR. REVIEWING COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND DATA SUBMITTED BY FORD, ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 200 ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AFTER CONSUMERS BELIEVE THEY HAVE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, RESULTING IN 85 ALLEGED CRASHES AND 32 ALLEGED INJURIES.IN ADDITION TO THE REPORTS OF ALLEGED INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT, ODI HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED 883 REPORTS OF CONSUMERS ALLEGING DIFFICULTY OR THE INABILITY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-013) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
DP05005 · Spark Plug Ejection From Cylinder Head
Opened Sep 22, 2005 · Closed Jan 4, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
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